Antiamericanism??

This topic comes up on a regular basis, so I guess people are sensitive to a perceived 'anti-American' media bias in the UK, but my take on this is that the media here is generally very critical/cynical (take your pick!) about most things, including the UK Government, and really gets its teeth into issues.  As the US is the world's dominant super power, its Government and its actions tend to come in for a large degree of criticism/comment from the media, not only here in the UK, but worldwide.

What do others think of the media here - is it very 'investigative', or just cynical and biased??

I guess what's galling for individuals is when you have to listen to all kinds of crap about the US as if you are somehow personally responsible for all of its Government's policies and actions.  I think that most rational people here can distinguish between a Government and its people, but every now and again, there's the odd exception and that can be irritating/frustrating/upsetting (depending on how you're feeling on the day! and of course, whether you may actually support your Government on that particular issue).

I've not experienced much anti-Americanism personally -- though hear loads of anti-American government, Dubya, etc >> to which I offer no defense as I agree with the criticism.  Many folks think my hubs ought to have his head examined for not wanting to move where I was -- Florida.  Wish I could have Florida weather combined with the sociopolitical climate of England.

I would say a lot of the problem with Dubya is that he essentially told the UN to 'naff off when it came to Iraq, vs trying to build an international consensus/coalition, etc. Very short-sighted & will end up hurting the US in the long run, I'd say.  He certainly did squander the good will the world had towards us, post-9/11.  George Sr was pretty slimey.  Reagan (as what Daver said) was an actor...I also thought international perception of him was also a doofus and/or a talking head -- all of which were apt, IMO.

  What do others think of the media here - is it very 'investigative', or just cynical and biased?? 

Personally, I have found the media here refreshing, on the whole.  It really helped bring home the point to me how biased the American media has become in the last 20+ years -- advancing the conservative government & corporate agenda instead of balanced reporting for the public interest at large.  It's nice to hear a range of viewpoints and to hear what's going on in the rest of the world -- as opposed to one viewpoint and all/only about America.

I'll keep wearing them then!  I have 3 "Life is Good! baseball caps.  Do you want one of them for the gym when I come over?

Don't worry about your baseball caps, trudif! Lots of people wear them over here, too!

My personal experience is much same as others here:  British citizens have been nothing but generous, kind and friendly.

My DH works in London, but also travels quite a lot and works with other EU countries (and their governments).  One group exercise he participated in (with colleagues from eight other EU countries):  which country would you NOT want to be from?

Bet you can guess the answer!   (hint: it wasn't France)

He experiences a ton more anti american attitudes than I do, I'm in a cushy beautiful village.  But it is *always* worse when the US administration (particularly Bush, Rumsfeld, Rice) do something/say something that harkens to the Bronze Age. Unfortunately, that is near constant!

I love your expression "harkens to the Bronze Age" ... how true!

My personal experience is much same as others here:  British citizens have been nothing but generous, kind and friendly.

My DH works in London, but also travels quite a lot and works with other EU countries (and their governments).  One group exercise he participated in (with colleagues from eight other EU countries):  which country would you NOT want to be from?

Bet you can guess the answer!   (hint: it wasn't France)

He experiences a ton more anti american attitudes than I do, I'm in a cushy beautiful village.  But it is *always* worse when the US administration (particularly Bush, Rumsfeld, Rice) do something/say something that harkens to the Bronze Age. Unfortunately, that is near constant!

I'll keep my caps!

Lesser of several evils?

I haven't found any Anti-Americanisms...in fact most of the Brits I've encountered like to talk to me about where I'm from, how long I want to stay, etc.  And don't get rid of your caps - I wear my two to the gym, when I'm heading to the Heath on a windy day and when I'm having a bad hair day!

I'll keep my caps then!

Don't worry about your baseball caps, trudif! Lots of people wear them over here, too!

If I'm not too late for the discussion... I don't get any anti-americanism here in London apart from
a few stupid drunken incidents in bars around the election. But I do find that Brits have a very
weird relationship with the U.S. which often annoys me.  Quite simply, it seems I am from the
dominant culture.  The styles, movies, TV shows, and even to some extent music and literature
are so absorbed from the U.S. because of the shared language. I get tired of seeing everything
from my country- and there is a lot of it- held up as an example of an expression of American
values, or troubles, or whatever. So many articles (yeah, I do read too much of the liberal
media crap) start off with a negative comment about the U.S. to interest the reader. Brits, get
your own freaking culture, language, issues, and innovation! Why is it that in thrift shops here,
all I can find is overpriced T-shirts and cowboy boots from the U.S. and Canada? I'm in England
and I want plaid skirts, macs and clunks DMs at a fair price. Point being, Brits are overly
influenced by the U.S., they are having trouble overcoming it (as is everyone, Americans included)
and I think this contributes to some anti-Americanism.

Why is it that in thrift shops here,
all I can find is overpriced T-shirts and cowboy boots from the U.S. and Canada? 

I haven't found that at all 

I haven't found that at all

Neither have I.

Brits, get your own freaking culture, language, issues, and innovation!

If you'd go back to America and take all the american culture, language, issues, and innovation away with you, i would be one very happy camper!   

! Why is it that in thrift shops here,
all I can find is overpriced T-shirts and cowboy boots from the U.S. and Canada? I'm in England
and I want plaid skirts, macs and clunks DMs at a fair price.

Those would be trendy second hand shops rather than thrift shops.  I'd hit Portabello Market for those things.  If you're wanting real Thrift stores look for Charity shops.   

Those would be trendy second hand shops rather than thrift shops.  I'd hit Portabello Market for those things.  If you're wanting real Thrift stores look for Charity shops.   

I thought she meant charity shops, which confused me. Thanks, Mindy.

My own mother has unfounded worries that I'm having a hard time here by just being an American, but I believe her concerns are based on her own political and religious convictions. I'm the one living here and it is just not the case. I find that most people accept that the media on both sides of the atlantic are biased one way or another and I'm thankful that I'm not personally held accountable for the actions of government- which is where a lot of debate gets opened from. It's a tricky time in the world, to be honest!

I think it's a great experience to be able to live in another country- experiencing the nuances of another culture.  I see the opportunity to be something of an ambassador!  You know, I was never a wearer of flag/ americana type things but I still wear my favourite clothes from the US because I don't really like the styles of clothing here!  I think as far as being loud, goes....well, my husband can tell when I've been talking to my family or friends on the phone. I'm from a very boisterous lot. It is a fact that I sometimes find myself being more loud than those around me. I *can* play "spot the  American" very well and I wish there were cash prizes! I think it's just a cultural thing!  Part of the great old variety is the spice of life thing!  I've found most people agree. 

My mother has the same unfounded worry because she has such strong, conservative views of her own. She has so many predjudices against so many different folks at times (I'm ashamed to admit) that she now has a reason to cocentrate on just one. I showed her this website to show her that this is a community and these people are all doing the same thing I am (to a certain degree). I think maybe that helped.

I haven't experienced anti-americanism, but I can see where if you tune in, you can sense it a bit. I know there's a ton of anti-foreigner vibes americans give off when encountered w/ foreigners. My brit bf and I joke a lot about our differences and about our politics and culture, but never put down the other, just recognize and respect differences.

I have to agree a bit to the amount of amercanism that is prevalent abroad. It definitely seems to seep into other cultures pretty easily, but that's a whole other thread. And, I have to admit, I think that influence will help me feel more at ease while I'm there.